A kind-hearted customer who visited an American fast food restaurant has raised thousands of dollars for an injured worker who served him.

Cameron Nelson, from Indianapolis, Indiana, stopped at a Chick-fil-A restaurant where he met employee Jakeem Tyler.

The teenager was working despite sporting a neck brace and a sling after being involved in a car accident.

He admitted to the man who took the photo, which has since been shared by thousands online, that he “needed the money”.

“I stopped at Chick-fil-A and decided to go in because the drive-thru [queue] was too long. I saw this young man working with a neck brace and a sling. We sneeze too hard and decide to call in [sick], but he's working like nothing is wrong,” he explained.

He continued: “When I placed my order, I asked him what happened...he said he was involved in a car accident, but he was working because he needs the money and also wants to feed the homeless for Christmas and needs the cash....maybe I was supposed to go in there.

“I think I may kick down a hundred or two on payday to help him out...he's definitely doing it for a great cause and I was amazed he's still working despite his condition.”